As Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensifies and impacts the region, Redland City Council is urging people to stay out floodwaters and away from drains.
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said that, with extremely heavy rainfall and dangerous conditions expected to cause flooding in the region, it was vital that people did not enter or drive through floodwaters.
“While Council typically places temporary signage to warn of road closures in areas known to flood, this will not be possible during the weather system as the signs could become destructive projectiles,” the Mayor said.
“Floodwaters are deceptive and dangerous, and it is impossible to see whether the surface beneath the water is still intact.
“Fast-moving currents and debris combined with sudden changes in water levels can lead to injury, damage to property and drowning.”
To stay safe in floodwaters:
Avoid them
- Do not enter floodwaters at all, whether by vehicle, foot, or bike
Stay inside
- Shelter inside as much as possible during flooding
- If evacuation is necessary, follow instructions from emergency services
Road closures
- Many roads and other areas may be flooded but will not be signed due to predicted intense winds making it unsafe to place temporary signage outside
- If you approach a flooded road, do not enter it, even if a road closure sign is not in place
- Check Council’s Disaster Dashboard for road conditions
- Signage will be placed when safe to do so
FLOOD HOT SPOTS + STORM SURGE
Many local roads are known to flood in heavy rain events, but due to a possible storm surge, other roads and areas may be flooded in coming days.
Council stresses again that these and other roads and areas will not have closure signs until conditions are safe enough to place them.
For personal safety, please stay away from all flooded areas, including roads, walkways, parks, and drains.
Local roads known to flood:
- Mary Pleasant Drive, Birkdale
- Agnes Street, Birkdale
- Mary Street, Birkdale
- Allan Day Drive, Wellington Point
- Cr Tullock Drive and Redgrove Avenue, Birkdale
- Old Cleveland Road East (near Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centre)
- Pitt and Nelson roads, Wellington Point
- Collingwood Road, Birkdale
- Avalon Road, Sheldon
- Mount Cotton Road and Woodlands Drive, Sheldon
- Springacre Road, Thornlands
- Double Jump Road, Redland Bay
- Serpentine Creek Road, Redland Bay
- Hamilton Road and Pitt Street, Redland Bay
- Moores Road over Weinam Creek, Redland Bay
- Sturgeon Street, Ormiston [Hilliard’s Creek Footpath]
GURGLING TOILETS
During a flood event, you may hear a gurgling noise coming from your toilet.
This may be due to the water network being inundated with stormwater.
This inundation of water can result in higher water levels causing the gurgling sound in your toilet.
If a toilet is gurgling, it usually means the property’s overflow relief gully (ORG) is doing its job and preventing discharge from occurring inside your house.
An ORG is an important part of the wastewater system.
The drain-like feature with a grated lid can be found in the ground outside your property and directs wastewater overflow outside.
Prepare now by checking that your ORG is unobstructed.
For information about ORGs and how they work, visit Council’s website.